Tag: winter

Happy Winter Solstice (or Summer Solstice if you live down under). Even though I had it on my calendar, this year’s solstice really took me by surprise. Our wintery weather has broken in Austin, and it feels a lot like spring now. I’m sure there is more winter to come though!

Whether it’s very wintery where you are… or not wintery at all. Celebrate winter with me with these quizzes 🙂

Have you been feeling the chill of winter this year? All things considered, it’s been a pretty mild winter at Blogthings headquarters. In fact, it’s going to be 78F today, and sunny. I can’t complain! (Although you will hear me complaining in the summer when there’s no escape from the triple digits.) Even though it’s been a pleasant winter down here in Texas, I’ve traveled enough to experience some real winter this year. I’m talking snow and way below freezing temperatures. And that’s enough to put me in the mood for winter quizzes!

I’m fascinated how we all love winter in our own ways. Growing up in the mountains of Colorado exposed me to many winter personalities – as well as the sides of my own personality during this season. At times, I am a comfort seeker in the winter. I love to curl up with a warm drink and a blanket. Or if I venture out in the world, I’d like to be somewhere with a fireplace.

I also have a bit of a playful winter personality. It’s hard to get me to be playful during a northeastern US winter. I’m way too cold to be much fun 🙂 But if you get me in a winter like the ones I grew up in, I love the combination of sunshine and snow. I love sledding and skiing and snowball fights… just as long as I’m not too terribly cold when I’m out playing. I was even known to make a snow fort when I was younger. Those were surprisingly warm!

Do you have a winter personality? Take my quiz What’s Your Winter Personality? to find out what side of you winter brings out. Let me know what your result is, and how accurate you think it is. I’m also curious to know… how are you surviving or thriving this winter?

You guys, I’m freezing! Around freezing temperature is where I start to feel miserable and chilly, and that’s what I’ve got going on right now. I know, I know… I am a total baby. But I can’t help dreaming of tropical islands 😉 I don’t mind a little cold, but gosh darnit, you better give me some rain or snow with it. I’m not a big fan of sunny but cold weather. What’s the fun in that?

It has been difficult for me to stay warm today, and I’m finally getting a little toasty. I threw on my favorite warm pjs, slippers (mandatory in the winter) and a warm sweater. I’m also baking my hopefully soon to be famous sweet potato apple pecan muffins. (Super simple – mix a can of sweet potatoes with apple muffin mix and pecans.) Having the oven on always warms up the house a little. I’ll probably have a little tea later, as that’s another mandatory get warm activity.

All this freezing has got me thinking that I sure could use a fireplace right now! And thinking of a fireplace reminds me of a favorite quiz: How Should You Stay Warm? Writing this quiz made me feel super cozy, and every time I take it, that feeling comes back to me. (Make sure you take it while under a warm blanket for full effect!)

Go ahead and take How Should You Stay Warm? Let me know what you get, and also let me know what your favorite way of staying warm is. I have a few creative ways for staying warm:

Cuddling with my dog

Knitting something big like a blanket

Wearing a hat inside

Drinking a spicy hot chocolate

Taking a plane somewhere warm (haha, just kidding about that one Mr. Blogthings – no surprise trips, I swear)

Whenever it snows enough, I love to build a snowman (or snowwoman!). Did you ever do this when you were growing up? I lived in a place with lots of snow, so I had lots of opportunities to practice my snowman building skills. I’m still not that good though! The only thing that wasn’t so great about building snowmen as a kid is that they melted too quickly.

The most exciting part of building a snowman comes at the end when you decide how to dress your snowman. Of course, some sort of face is basically mandatory, but I like it when people add even more flair. A snowman with a scarf is super cute, and a hat is also a must. Or you can go the old fashioned route and stick to coal for eyes and buttons. And of course a corncob or carrot nose.

I so very wish I lived in a place where it snowed, as I think building snowmen would be a great hobby. It’s so fun to be out in the snow, and I think building things with snow is a great way to express yourself artistically. I’ll never be talented enough to be an ice sculptor, but a snowman I can do. Besides, I’m pretty sure you get to drink hot chocolate afterwards.

Have I got you itching to build a snowman? Luckily you can build an imaginary snowman with my latest quiz: The Snowman Test No actual snow required!

Discussion topics (Comment below and let me know any or all of these):

I love hot chocolate this time of year. It’s my favorite indulgence on a frosty winter night. Growing up, I had the simplest of hot chocolates as a treat – heated up in a pan on the stovetop. I used to love to have hot chocolate and my grandma’s homemade rolls as a snack on the coldest of winter days.

It wasn’t until I was older that hot chocolate became more of a thing culinarily speaking. I remember the first Mexican hot chocolate I had in southern California on an usually cold night, and I couldn’t believe how flavorful it was. Over the years I’ve sampled many different hot chocolates from various cafes, and I’ve even made a few interesting ones at home. (Nutella hot chocolate anyone?)

My love of hot chocolate inspired me to write a quiz about the creative hot chocolate flavors Starbucks comes up with. I’m always drawn into their flavor combinations, although at times they are a bit sweet for me. I like to recreate them at home quite a bit, and they are always good for a fun wintery treat. Do you also like Starbucks hot chocolate? Take my quiz to see which one you should get: What Starbucks Hot Chocolate Are You?

What do you think of this yummy quiz? Comment below with your result. Also let me know what your favorite style of hot chocolate is… it doesn’t have to be Starbucks 🙂 And if you prefer to get your hot chocolate a little more indie style, I have a quiz for that too: What Flavor Hot Chocolate Are You?

Discussion question: What is your ultimate favorite hot chocolate? Do you add extra goodies like whipped cream or marshmallows.